Meet 3 of the Newest Expedition Ships of 2021

Following a plethora of new expedition cruise ship announcements, many polar-class vessels are now starting to launch globally.

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator, Crystal’s Crystal Endeavor and Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Endurance  all recently set sail within a few weeks of each other.

Here’s what you need to know about the new ships.

Atlas Ocean Voyages – World Navigator

On Aug. 4, World Navigator was introduced to guests. The luxury ship is currently embarking on Egyptian and Greek Isles voyages for the summer, before making its way to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South America and eventually down to Antarctica.

RELATED: What to Know About the Post-Pandemic Expedition Cruise Market

“Atlas is the industry’s first new luxury brand in more than 20 years, and World Navigator is designed to bring today’s luxury travelers on genuine cultural experiences and adventures to remote and fascinating destinations around the world,” said Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, in a press release. “Onboard, guests can enjoy elegant accommodations, entertainment, dining options and amenities usually found on larger ships.”

Among such features are the line’s signature “All Inclusive All the Way” perks, which extend to free roundtrip flights; ground transfers; gourmet cuisine (with six dining options); premium wines, beers and spirits, as well as specialty coffees; a complimentary shore excursion in every port; prepaid gratuities; polar parkas; emergency medical evacuation insurance; Wi-Fi access; and L’Occitane bath products.

The intimate, 9,930-gross-register-ton ship features 98 suites and staterooms, which range in size from Adventure Staterooms (183 square feet) to the Navigator Suite (466 square feet). And come March 2022, the Navigator will also showcase Solo Suites, uniquely outfitted for cruisers traveling alone.

Crystal – Crystal Endeavor

Crystal welcomed guests onboard the new 20,200-gross-registered-ton Crystal Endeavor in Iceland on July 17, sailing from Reykjavik. In fact, the line just extended its inaugural season in the destination, with two additional sailings into this September. 

“Our new expedition yacht will take our guests further than ever before on bold adventures to the far corners of the globe, and offering explorations, enrichment and immersive experiences beyond anything they’ve experienced before,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal, in a press release. “The ship features spaciousness, personal service and luxury for our guests, with safety and responsible stewardship of the world’s oceans at the forefront.”

Endeavor offers 100 of its gross tons and 10,000 cubic feet to each and every client (only 200 in total), who can enjoy a high passenger-to-space ratio and a  one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio.

RELATED: Hurtigruten Expeditions Adds Africa for 2022 — Here’s a Look at the New Cruises 

Supporting adventures off the ship are 18 Zodiacs, 14 sea kayaks, snorkel gear and  a six-passenger submersible and two helicopters for use in certain regions. The ship is bringing the environment back onboard via a remote operated vehicle to capture views at a depth of nearly 1,000 feet and a mast-mounted, zoom camera capable of imaging from more than a mile away.

Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic Endurance

Lindblad Expeditions’ new National Geographic Endurance first sailed from Reykjavik on July 22, 2021.

“The energy, the enthusiasm, the dedication that has been put in to the making of this ship was for one purpose only — to make it possible for you folks to go out and explore the world, and to appreciate the world and all its wonders and then to face together some of the challenges that we inevitably must as it relates to the natural world,” said Sven Lindblad, founder and co-chair of the board of Lindblad Expeditions, in a press release.

As polar-class vessels go, the Endurance hull is the strongest of the three — specified at PC5 Category A (the lower the number, the stronger it is) — making it ideal for navigating icy waters. It features a distinct X-Bow design for quieter and smoother sailing through rough conditions. The ship also carries the fewest guests, with a capacity of just 126 passengers.

“The ideas that we have inside the ship, they have been coming, not just for years, [but] for decades, for whole careers,” said  Aaron Wood, captain of National Geographic Endurance. “And this vessel is the pinnacle of all of that.”

The Details
Atlas Ocean Voyages

Crystal

Lindblad Expeditions